Midweek politics
Encyclopedia
The David Pakman Show originally Midweek Politics with David Pakman, is a multiplatform politics and news talk show
airing on radio
, television
, and the internet
, hosted by David Pakman, currently airing on a combination of commercial and public radio stations, including Pacifica Radio
stations, on Free Speech TV
via DirecTV
and DISH Network
, on Public-access television
cable TV stations nationwide, via internet podcast
and on YouTube
. The program first aired in August 2005 on WXOJ-LP
("Valley Free Radio"), located in Northampton, Massachusetts
, first achieving national syndication on Pacifica Radio
network. eventually achieving broader international distribution. The David Pakman Show offers uncensored members-only content through a paid membership program, known for behind the scenes discussions of guests and breaking the fourth wall
.
TDPS is a news and political talk program, known for controversial interviews with political and religious extremists, liberal and conservative politicians, and other guests. TDPS has been involved in a number of controversies involving homophobic and racist
guests. The program focuses on the politics and news of the day, technology and energy development, business, religion and other topics. TDPS airs on both radio and television affiliates around the US and across the world.
Pakman holds an MBA from Bentley University and an undergraduate degree in economics and communication from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst. He is originally from Buenos Aires, Argentina. Pakman, who started the program at age 21, then the youngest nationally syndicated political host, has been compared to Rachel Maddow, both for his incisive, sometimes sarcastic political analysis and for starting his radio career in the same city as Maddow, Northampton, Massachusetts.
In 2007, TDPS added Louis Motamedi, childhood friend of Pakman's, as radio producer. This expanded the program further, allowing for a wider variety of programming, more well-known guests, and live phone calls, and generally improved the production value of the show, which was until that point a one-person operation.
In 2009, Midweek Politics was launched as a simultaneously produced television program (More under Television Syndication), adding Pakman's brother, Natan Pakman, as the television producer.
In 2010, TDPS launched a paid membership program, maintaining the long-time free podcast at no charge, but offering audience members additional content in a freemium
model, including extra show segments, behind the scenes interviews, and access to show archives.
In July 2010, TDPS obtained national television distribution through Free Speech TV
. (More under Television syndication)
In September 2010, The David Pakman Show left WXOJ and moved into their own studio in Northampton, Massachusetts, a facility equipped for both the radio and television versions of the program.
In November 2010, TDPS changed the name of the program to The David Pakman Show (TDPS).
and WHMP
in Midweek Politics' broadcast home of Northampton, Massachusetts
, previously having aired only on public radio stations.
, Mexico
, and Ghana
.
stations across the country, and also published on the The David Pakman ShowYouTube Channel. The program rapidly grew the number of television affiliates, and Pakman has attributed the increased growth of the program starting in 2009 to expanding from radio to a visual medium. In January 2011, award winning public access station announced that the David Pakman Show will be added to the 2011-2012 schedule. The station is well known for its controversial programming.
as of July 31, 2010. Free Speech TV reaches DirecTV
and DISH Network
subscribers, over 30 million as of July 27, 2010, via satellite.
, Sweden
, would be airing the program.
, business, religious zealotry, infidelity
among politicians, and a number of ancillary themes have become prevalent in the programming, often featuring Pakman in an adversarial role with conservative religious extremists, which have been the center of controversy since their inclusion in the program.
and Palestine
, and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict
.
Pakman and Midweek Politics are strong supporters of same-sex marriage
a topic which often has become adversarial with guests on the program. Additionally, a strong belief in evolution and a rebuking of literal Bible
interpreters who believe that the Earth is 6,000 years old have created conflict with guests on the program. Pakman has regularly indicated that the more outrageous, extreme guests are not only interesting to interview, but create the most interest and engagement on behalf of the audience.
is criticized by many Jewish groups for perceived anti-Israel
bias, Pakman, who is Jewish, has long stated that on issues related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict
, Midweek Politics is not in line with the general Pacifica viewpoint. Although Pakman generally has stated in interviews and on the program that the difference of opinion has not caused conflict, he did more recently indicated that at least one station had dropped Midweek Politics from its schedule for being too "pro-Israel". At the same time, Pakman has indicated on the program that stations have both stopped carrying or decided not to start carrying the program due to its progressive nature.
was a "great man" and similarly expressed disappointment that Hitler had not ultimately succeeded in the Holocaust. Video and podcast versions of the interview spread virally throughout the internet garnering varied reaction, ranging from those who found the interview comical and entertaining, to those who were offended, and even a contingent who believed Pakman was wrong to have Miller on the program and should be removed from the air.
On the following program, Pakman commented on the uproar and controversy, indicating the notion that people like Miller go away if they do not get on media outlets is false, and that from his point of view, the interview was a success. Pakman attributed this success to Miller being "ridiculed across the internet and on the radio".
was a guest on the program on July 28, 2010. During the interview, LaBarbera stated numerous times that Pakman's producer should have told him Pakman's position on the issue of gay rights in advance of his appearance, a suggestion that Pakman refuted. This made national headlines, including being the center of a discussion on Sirius XM's The Michelangelo Signorile
Show.
In later programs, Pakman has mentioned that LaBarbera personally emailed him later to insist that Pakman was dishonest by not telling him advance about his position on gay rights. During the interview, LaBarbera also discussed his regular trips to gay fetish
events, including leather events, and indicated that his group, Americans for Truth About Homosexuality is a "pro-family" organization.
, the anti-gay
psychologist
and sex researcher, Cameron made a number of comments, among these were the suggestion that homosexuality
was equivalent to drug abuse
, that homosexuals were addicted to homosexual activity in a way different from heterosexual, and cited a study conducted by his own Family Research Institute
which reported that gays and lesbians in the military are far more likely to rape
or sexually abuse
fellow soldiers.
Numerous blogs and websites, including the Huffington Post, reported on the interview.
aired on Midweek Politics on May 5, 2010. During the interview Clarke made a number of statements about the Bush-Cheney administration
which were the subject of controversy. Referring to Dick Cheney
's comments that President Barack Obama
, Clarke indicating that Cheney was "baiting" for a terrorist attack to be later blamed on Obama. He also state that "what Dick Cheney is doing is the political equivalent of a hedge fund. He is buying a bet that there will be a terrorist attack in the US, and if there is one, he wants it to benefit him and his party politically." He also described it as "the most pandering, partisan, despicable kind of activity."
, known for their "God Hates Fags" slogan and protests, date back to October 4, 2006, when Jonathan Phelps, son of Fred Phelps
, was interviewed in a segment involving ad hominem
attacks from Phelps directed at Pakman and the show's producer
and co-host, Louis Motamedi. Among the many claims made by Phelps was the statement that all homosexuals in the US should be put to death. Homosexuality was blamed by Phelps as the cause of numerous nationwide and worldwide problems in which the United States is involved. Additionally, Phelps threatened to "end this pretense of an interview" when the idea that Phelps' church's views were based on one of many Bible interpretations, as opposed to the only interpretation, was suggested by Pakman. Phelps stayed on the phone until the completion of the interview.
The most well known member and public face of the Westboro Baptist Church, Shirley Phelps-Roper
, was interviewed on Midweek Politics three times following her brother Jonathan's interview. During one interview, Phelps-Roper denied that homosexuality in animals
was a concern of hers, and said that her church protested Heath Ledger
's memorial service because he "taught rebellion to this generation" by playing a homosexual character in the movie Brokeback Mountain
.
During the following interview, Phelps-Roper called Massachusetts
a "state of rabid perverts", presumably based Massachusetts' landmark legalization of gay marriage. Phelps-Roper added that that Jews
not accepting Jesus Christ as their savior, including Pakman, the host of Midweek Politics, would be going to hell
as a result of having "killed, murdered, and rejected" Jesus Christ. Further, she accused Pakman of being a "bad fig."
On March 10, 2010, Phelps-Roper commented on the Supreme Court
case involving free speech and the church, and indicated that Justice Ruth Bader-Ginsburg "seems almost senile." The interview went viral
due to the incendiary nature and content. In the same interview, Phelps-Roper, in discussing whether it was worse, in her opinion, to be Jewish or homosexual, indicated that she "wants the Jew to be a fag."
After the interview, show producers published a press release related to the interview which misquoted Phelps-Roper. The press release indicated that she said she would tell the Supreme Court to "drink a tall frosty mug of shut the hell up" in relation to the pending free speech trial, while in reality, she had predicted the Court would tell the plaintiff in the case to "drink a tall frosty mug of shut the hell up." Pakman admitted their mistake in the following broadcast, and said they had retracted the press release.
On September 10, 2010, Phelps-Roper was on the show to discuss her church's planned burning of the Koran on the upcoming 9/11 anniversary in light of Dove World Outreach Center
's Terry Jones conceding that he would not burn Korans on 9/11 as originally planned. Phelps-Roper claimed that "Mohammad was a pedophile", was critical of Terry Jones, and also was asked to address questions from Pakman's audience relating to the markedly infrequent blinking observed of Phelps-Roper during numerous television interviews.
In December 2010, Pakman interviewed Nathan Phelps
, the most public of the former members. He said that beatings occurred to the kids and his mother. He also recounts the other family members who either left, returned by force to the church, or returned on their own. Nate stated that the last contact with any practicing members was 1985 but he keeps in contact with those who left the church. In a rare statement, he recounted the 10 month return to the church in 1978.
On February 24, 2011, hacktivists
successfully took Westboro Baptist Church's websites down during an on-air confrontation, explaining during the act that they were placing a message at "downloads dot westboro baptist church". During the interview, Anonymous
indicated that previous denial of service attacks were the work of The Jester
, but the hacking incident taking place during the interview was the work of Anonymous During the live confrontation between Phelps-Roper and a spokesman for Anonymous, Phelps-Roper claimed that Anonymous could not "stop God's message" even if they were to try. In response, Anonymous seized control of one of Westboro's subdomains.
was long known for stating that, with regard to the 2000 presidential election
, both George W. Bush
and Al Gore
were essentially the same, and that it would make no difference which candidate was elected. While Nader maintained that position for some time, in an interview on Midweek Politics he made what some consider to be the first direct statement that while Bush and Gore have very similar positions on a plurality of issues, "no one would have mangled the situation (war) in Iraq
the way that George W. Bush did as President.
for his support of free speech, specifically as applied to Howard Stern
and censorship
. On September 27, 2006, Pakman specifically defended Stern, the Sirius Satellite Radio
business, the success of Stern's show to date, and stated that he believes the type of ideology stated by Rush Limbaugh
and other talk radio hosts is equally or more offensive than the type of content censored when Stern's show was on terrestrial radio. The comment was seen as an attack by both liberals and religious conservatives, both being offended by Stern's show for different reasons.
On May 5, 2010, a clip of Midweek Politics was mentioned and played by Stern on the air involving an ongoing joke on the Howard Stern Show to which Pakman referred on Midweek Politics.
Governor-election Deval Patrick
on the issue of polling. During an August 23, 2006 interview, Patrick was reluctant to admit that the Democratic candidate who would go on to win the primary in September was in a strong position to win in the general election in November, although the polls were overwhelmingly pointing in that direction.
This issue was brought up again in person by Pakman at an October 3, 2006 debate at American International College
in Springfield, Massachusetts
. At this point, Patrick had already won the Democratic primary and was, according to some polls, more than 30 points ahead of the second place Republican
Lieutenant Governor
Kerry Healey
. When asked if he would finally admit to having some comfort in his lead, Patrick explained that "he doesn't always trust the polls." When asked by Pakman whether or not Healey should be worried that she is more than 30 points down, Patrick shrugged the question off by asking "is it now that much?" and moving on to another reporter's question.
of the website. On May 9, 2010, the website went down altogether, completely disappearing from the internet. In the later part of May 10, 2010, the website came back on in a limited way, with a message indicating that there had been malicious attempts made on the site, including denial of service attacks. By May 11, 2010, much of the website was back in place.
On the May 12, 2010 broadcast of Midweek Politics, Pakman announced that the website had indeed been in the target of unknown deliberate malicious attacks starting immediately after the April 28, 2010 broadcast. Pakman did not indicate the specifics of who was suspected to be involved, but said a more detailed investigation was underway, and alluded to a connection between a guest on the program between April 28 and May 12. Guests appearing on Midweek Politics during that time include former Governor Jesse Ventura
racist Senate candidate Glenn Miller, Congressmann Dennis Kucinich
, and terrorism expert Richard A. Clarke
.
Talk show
A talk show or chat show is a television program or radio program where one person discuss various topics put forth by a talk show host....
airing on radio
Radio
Radio is the transmission of signals through free space by modulation of electromagnetic waves with frequencies below those of visible light. Electromagnetic radiation travels by means of oscillating electromagnetic fields that pass through the air and the vacuum of space...
, television
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
, and the internet
Internet
The Internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks that use the standard Internet protocol suite to serve billions of users worldwide...
, hosted by David Pakman, currently airing on a combination of commercial and public radio stations, including Pacifica Radio
Pacifica Radio
Pacifica Radio is the oldest public radio network in the United States. It is a group of five independently operated, non-commercial, listener-supported radio stations that is known for its progressive/liberal political orientation. It is also a program service supplying over 100 affiliated...
stations, on Free Speech TV
Free Speech TV
-External links:...
via DirecTV
DirecTV
DirecTV is an American direct broadcast satellite service provider and broadcaster based in El Segundo, California. Its satellite service, launched on June 17, 1994, transmits digital satellite television and audio to households in the United States, Latin America, and the Anglophone Caribbean. ...
and DISH Network
Dish Network
Dish Network Corporation is the second largest pay TV provider in the United States, providing direct broadcast satellite service—including satellite television, audio programming, and interactive television services—to 14.337 million commercial and residential customers in the United States. Dish...
, on Public-access television
Public-access television
Public-access television is a form of non-commercial mass media where ordinary people can create content television programming which is cablecast through cable TV specialty channels...
cable TV stations nationwide, via internet podcast
Podcast
A podcast is a series of digital media files that are released episodically and often downloaded through web syndication...
and on YouTube
YouTube
YouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....
. The program first aired in August 2005 on WXOJ-LP
WXOJ-LP
WXOJ-LP is a non-profit, volunteer-run community radio station licensed to serve Northampton, Massachusetts. The station is owned by Foundation For Media Education Inc. It airs a Public Radio format...
("Valley Free Radio"), located in Northampton, Massachusetts
Northampton, Massachusetts
The city of Northampton is the county seat of Hampshire County, Massachusetts, United States. As of the 2010 census, the population of Northampton's central neighborhoods, was 28,549...
, first achieving national syndication on Pacifica Radio
Pacifica Radio
Pacifica Radio is the oldest public radio network in the United States. It is a group of five independently operated, non-commercial, listener-supported radio stations that is known for its progressive/liberal political orientation. It is also a program service supplying over 100 affiliated...
network. eventually achieving broader international distribution. The David Pakman Show offers uncensored members-only content through a paid membership program, known for behind the scenes discussions of guests and breaking the fourth wall
Fourth wall
The fourth wall is the imaginary "wall" at the front of the stage in a traditional three-walled box set in a proscenium theatre, through which the audience sees the action in the world of the play...
.
TDPS is a news and political talk program, known for controversial interviews with political and religious extremists, liberal and conservative politicians, and other guests. TDPS has been involved in a number of controversies involving homophobic and racist
Racism
Racism is the belief that inherent different traits in human racial groups justify discrimination. In the modern English language, the term "racism" is used predominantly as a pejorative epithet. It is applied especially to the practice or advocacy of racial discrimination of a pernicious nature...
guests. The program focuses on the politics and news of the day, technology and energy development, business, religion and other topics. TDPS airs on both radio and television affiliates around the US and across the world.
Pakman holds an MBA from Bentley University and an undergraduate degree in economics and communication from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst. He is originally from Buenos Aires, Argentina. Pakman, who started the program at age 21, then the youngest nationally syndicated political host, has been compared to Rachel Maddow, both for his incisive, sometimes sarcastic political analysis and for starting his radio career in the same city as Maddow, Northampton, Massachusetts.
History
Pakman started to produce a local version of TDPS on Pacifica radio affiliate WXOJ while an undergraduate student at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst, during his time as an intern at the Media Education Foundation, the non-profit holding WXOJ's license at the time. The program focused on national politics from its inception, and was initially made available only to Pacifica Radio Network affiliate stations. Immediate interest from few but important affiliates spread around the US, and as the production value and notability of guests of the show rose, affiliates continued to add the program to their schedules. Broader public radio syndication followed.In 2007, TDPS added Louis Motamedi, childhood friend of Pakman's, as radio producer. This expanded the program further, allowing for a wider variety of programming, more well-known guests, and live phone calls, and generally improved the production value of the show, which was until that point a one-person operation.
In 2009, Midweek Politics was launched as a simultaneously produced television program (More under Television Syndication), adding Pakman's brother, Natan Pakman, as the television producer.
In 2010, TDPS launched a paid membership program, maintaining the long-time free podcast at no charge, but offering audience members additional content in a freemium
Freemium
Freemium is a business model that works by offering a product or service free of charge while charging a premium for advanced features, functionality, or related products and services...
model, including extra show segments, behind the scenes interviews, and access to show archives.
In July 2010, TDPS obtained national television distribution through Free Speech TV
Free Speech TV
-External links:...
. (More under Television syndication)
In September 2010, The David Pakman Show left WXOJ and moved into their own studio in Northampton, Massachusetts, a facility equipped for both the radio and television versions of the program.
In November 2010, TDPS changed the name of the program to The David Pakman Show (TDPS).
Radio syndication
Public radio syndication began in 2006 on the Pacifica Radio Network through Vivid Edge Media Group, the production company for TDPS. Initially, a handful of non-commercial talk radio stations broadcast the show. During 2007, public radio syndication expanded to all public radio stations, regardless of Pacifica affiliation.Commercial radio
During 2009, TDPS achieved its first commercial radio affiliates, starting with Green 1640 in Atlanta, GeorgiaAtlanta, Georgia
Atlanta is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia. According to the 2010 census, Atlanta's population is 420,003. Atlanta is the cultural and economic center of the Atlanta metropolitan area, which is home to 5,268,860 people and is the ninth largest metropolitan area in...
and WHMP
WHMP
WHMP is a radio station broadcasting a news/talk format. Licensed to Northampton, Massachusetts, it serves the Pioneer Valley. It is currently owned by Saga Communications, and is repeated on WHNP in East Longmeadow, Massachusetts and WHMQ in Greenfield, Massachusetts.WHNP and WHMQ previously...
in Midweek Politics' broadcast home of Northampton, Massachusetts
Northampton, Massachusetts
The city of Northampton is the county seat of Hampshire County, Massachusetts, United States. As of the 2010 census, the population of Northampton's central neighborhoods, was 28,549...
, previously having aired only on public radio stations.
International radio
TDPS airs on several international radio stations, including in CanadaCanada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
, and Ghana
Ghana
Ghana , officially the Republic of Ghana, is a country located in West Africa. It is bordered by Côte d'Ivoire to the west, Burkina Faso to the north, Togo to the east, and the Gulf of Guinea to the south...
.
Television syndication
On September 2, 2009, Midweek Politics was launched as a simultaneously produced television program, originally offered to public-access televisionPublic-access television
Public-access television is a form of non-commercial mass media where ordinary people can create content television programming which is cablecast through cable TV specialty channels...
stations across the country, and also published on the The David Pakman ShowYouTube Channel. The program rapidly grew the number of television affiliates, and Pakman has attributed the increased growth of the program starting in 2009 to expanding from radio to a visual medium. In January 2011, award winning public access station announced that the David Pakman Show will be added to the 2011-2012 schedule. The station is well known for its controversial programming.
Free Speech TV
On July 27, 2010, Midweek Politics announced that it would start national syndication on Free Speech TVFree Speech TV
-External links:...
as of July 31, 2010. Free Speech TV reaches DirecTV
DirecTV
DirecTV is an American direct broadcast satellite service provider and broadcaster based in El Segundo, California. Its satellite service, launched on June 17, 1994, transmits digital satellite television and audio to households in the United States, Latin America, and the Anglophone Caribbean. ...
and DISH Network
Dish Network
Dish Network Corporation is the second largest pay TV provider in the United States, providing direct broadcast satellite service—including satellite television, audio programming, and interactive television services—to 14.337 million commercial and residential customers in the United States. Dish...
subscribers, over 30 million as of July 27, 2010, via satellite.
International television
TDPS announced in September 2010 that the first international affiliate, Öppna Kanalen Skövde in SkövdeSkövde
Skövde is a locality and the seat of Skövde Municipality, Västra Götaland County, Sweden with 34 446 inhabitants .Skövde is situated some 150 km northeast of Gothenburg, between Sweden's two largest lakes, Vänern and Vättern. It sits on the eastern slope of a low mountain ridge Billingen ,...
, Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
, would be airing the program.
Format
"Midweek Politics" is made up of both live and pre-recorded interviews, clips from television and radio programs related to politics and current events, segments with correspondents on the street and in public, and other specially produced segments. Starting in 2008, alternative energyAlternative energy
Alternative energy is an umbrella term that refers to any source of usable energy intended to replace fuel sources without the undesired consequences of the replaced fuels....
, business, religious zealotry, infidelity
Infidelity
In many intimate relationships in many cultures there is usually an express or implied expectation of exclusivity, especially in sexual matters. Infidelity most commonly refers to a breach of the expectation of sexual exclusivity.Infidelity can occur in relation to physical intimacy and/or...
among politicians, and a number of ancillary themes have become prevalent in the programming, often featuring Pakman in an adversarial role with conservative religious extremists, which have been the center of controversy since their inclusion in the program.
Content
Midweek Politics is generally considered a progressive/liberal talk radio program, although it rarely falls in line with the traditional liberal positions on many issues, primarily related to IsraelIsrael
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
and Palestine
Palestine
Palestine is a conventional name, among others, used to describe the geographic region between the Mediterranean Sea and the Jordan River, and various adjoining lands....
, and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict
Israeli-Palestinian conflict
The Israeli–Palestinian conflict is the ongoing conflict between Israelis and Palestinians. The conflict is wide-ranging, and the term is also used in reference to the earlier phases of the same conflict, between Jewish and Zionist yishuv and the Arab population living in Palestine under Ottoman or...
.
Pakman and Midweek Politics are strong supporters of same-sex marriage
Same-sex marriage
Same-sex marriage is marriage between two persons of the same biological sex or social gender. Supporters of legal recognition for same-sex marriage typically refer to such recognition as marriage equality....
a topic which often has become adversarial with guests on the program. Additionally, a strong belief in evolution and a rebuking of literal Bible
Bible
The Bible refers to any one of the collections of the primary religious texts of Judaism and Christianity. There is no common version of the Bible, as the individual books , their contents and their order vary among denominations...
interpreters who believe that the Earth is 6,000 years old have created conflict with guests on the program. Pakman has regularly indicated that the more outrageous, extreme guests are not only interesting to interview, but create the most interest and engagement on behalf of the audience.
Pacifica affiliation controversy
Although Pacifica RadioPacifica Radio
Pacifica Radio is the oldest public radio network in the United States. It is a group of five independently operated, non-commercial, listener-supported radio stations that is known for its progressive/liberal political orientation. It is also a program service supplying over 100 affiliated...
is criticized by many Jewish groups for perceived anti-Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
bias, Pakman, who is Jewish, has long stated that on issues related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict
Israeli-Palestinian conflict
The Israeli–Palestinian conflict is the ongoing conflict between Israelis and Palestinians. The conflict is wide-ranging, and the term is also used in reference to the earlier phases of the same conflict, between Jewish and Zionist yishuv and the Arab population living in Palestine under Ottoman or...
, Midweek Politics is not in line with the general Pacifica viewpoint. Although Pakman generally has stated in interviews and on the program that the difference of opinion has not caused conflict, he did more recently indicated that at least one station had dropped Midweek Politics from its schedule for being too "pro-Israel". At the same time, Pakman has indicated on the program that stations have both stopped carrying or decided not to start carrying the program due to its progressive nature.
Glenn Miller
Racist perennial political candidate Glenn Miller appeared on Midweek Politics on April 28, 2010 in what was one of the most controversial interviews to that point in the history of the program. Miller repeated anti-Semitic statements and espoused a number of anti-Jewish conspiracy theories, including control over media and government. Additionally, he referred to host David Pakman as a "Jew liar" and "Kike-a-Like" during the interview. Miller also stated that Adolf HitlerAdolf Hitler
Adolf Hitler was an Austrian-born German politician and the leader of the National Socialist German Workers Party , commonly referred to as the Nazi Party). He was Chancellor of Germany from 1933 to 1945, and head of state from 1934 to 1945...
was a "great man" and similarly expressed disappointment that Hitler had not ultimately succeeded in the Holocaust. Video and podcast versions of the interview spread virally throughout the internet garnering varied reaction, ranging from those who found the interview comical and entertaining, to those who were offended, and even a contingent who believed Pakman was wrong to have Miller on the program and should be removed from the air.
On the following program, Pakman commented on the uproar and controversy, indicating the notion that people like Miller go away if they do not get on media outlets is false, and that from his point of view, the interview was a success. Pakman attributed this success to Miller being "ridiculed across the internet and on the radio".
Peter LaBarbera
Peter LaBarberaPeter LaBarbera
Peter LaBarbera is the president of Americans For Truth About Homosexuality, an anti-LGBT organization in the United States that is classified as a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center....
was a guest on the program on July 28, 2010. During the interview, LaBarbera stated numerous times that Pakman's producer should have told him Pakman's position on the issue of gay rights in advance of his appearance, a suggestion that Pakman refuted. This made national headlines, including being the center of a discussion on Sirius XM's The Michelangelo Signorile
Michelangelo Signorile
Michelangelo Signorile is a gay American writer, a national talk radio host whose program is aired each weekday across the United States and Canada. He is a political liberal, and covers a wide variety of political and cultural issues...
Show.
In later programs, Pakman has mentioned that LaBarbera personally emailed him later to insist that Pakman was dishonest by not telling him advance about his position on gay rights. During the interview, LaBarbera also discussed his regular trips to gay fetish
Fetish
Fetish may refer to:* Fetishism, the attribution of religious or mystical qualities to inanimate objects* Sexual fetishism, sexual attraction to objects, body parts, or situations not conventionally viewed as being sexual in nature....
events, including leather events, and indicated that his group, Americans for Truth About Homosexuality is a "pro-family" organization.
Paul Cameron
During an interview with Paul CameronPaul Cameron
Paul Drummond Cameron is an American psychologist and sex researcher. While employed at various institutions including the University of Nebraska he conducted research on passive smoking, but he is best known today for his claims about homosexuality...
, the anti-gay
Homophobia
Homophobia is a term used to refer to a range of negative attitudes and feelings towards lesbian, gay and in some cases bisexual, transgender people and behavior, although these are usually covered under other terms such as biphobia and transphobia. Definitions refer to irrational fear, with the...
psychologist
Psychologist
Psychologist is a professional or academic title used by individuals who are either:* Clinical professionals who work with patients in a variety of therapeutic contexts .* Scientists conducting psychological research or teaching psychology in a college...
and sex researcher, Cameron made a number of comments, among these were the suggestion that homosexuality
Homosexuality
Homosexuality is romantic or sexual attraction or behavior between members of the same sex or gender. As a sexual orientation, homosexuality refers to "an enduring pattern of or disposition to experience sexual, affectional, or romantic attractions" primarily or exclusively to people of the same...
was equivalent to drug abuse
Drug abuse
Substance abuse, also known as drug abuse, refers to a maladaptive pattern of use of a substance that is not considered dependent. The term "drug abuse" does not exclude dependency, but is otherwise used in a similar manner in nonmedical contexts...
, that homosexuals were addicted to homosexual activity in a way different from heterosexual, and cited a study conducted by his own Family Research Institute
Family Research Institute
The Family Research Institute , originally known as the Institute for the Scientific Investigation of Sexuality , is an American non-profit organization based in Colorado Springs, Colorado which states that it has "...one overriding mission: to generate empirical research on issues that threaten...
which reported that gays and lesbians in the military are far more likely to rape
Rape
Rape is a type of sexual assault usually involving sexual intercourse, which is initiated by one or more persons against another person without that person's consent. The act may be carried out by physical force, coercion, abuse of authority or with a person who is incapable of valid consent. The...
or sexually abuse
Sexual abuse
Sexual abuse, also referred to as molestation, is the forcing of undesired sexual behavior by one person upon another. When that force is immediate, of short duration, or infrequent, it is called sexual assault. The offender is referred to as a sexual abuser or molester...
fellow soldiers.
Numerous blogs and websites, including the Huffington Post, reported on the interview.
Richard Clarke
An interview with Richard A. ClarkeRichard A. Clarke
Richard Alan Clarke was a U.S. government employee for 30 years, 1973–2003. He worked for the State Department during the presidency of Ronald Reagan. In 1992, President George H.W. Bush appointed him to chair the Counter-terrorism Security Group and to a seat on the United States National...
aired on Midweek Politics on May 5, 2010. During the interview Clarke made a number of statements about the Bush-Cheney administration
George W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
which were the subject of controversy. Referring to Dick Cheney
Dick Cheney
Richard Bruce "Dick" Cheney served as the 46th Vice President of the United States , under George W. Bush....
's comments that President Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
, Clarke indicating that Cheney was "baiting" for a terrorist attack to be later blamed on Obama. He also state that "what Dick Cheney is doing is the political equivalent of a hedge fund. He is buying a bet that there will be a terrorist attack in the US, and if there is one, he wants it to benefit him and his party politically." He also described it as "the most pandering, partisan, despicable kind of activity."
Westboro Baptist Church
Appearances on Midweek Politics by members of the Westboro Baptist ChurchWestboro Baptist Church
The Westboro Baptist Church is an independent Baptist church known for its extreme stance against homosexuality and its protest activities, which include picketing funerals and desecrating the American flag. The church is widely described as a hate group and is monitored as such by the...
, known for their "God Hates Fags" slogan and protests, date back to October 4, 2006, when Jonathan Phelps, son of Fred Phelps
Fred Phelps
Fred Waldron Phelps, Sr. is an American pastor heading the Westboro Baptist Church , an independent Baptist church based in Topeka, Kansas...
, was interviewed in a segment involving ad hominem
Ad hominem
An ad hominem , short for argumentum ad hominem, is an attempt to negate the truth of a claim by pointing out a negative characteristic or belief of the person supporting it...
attacks from Phelps directed at Pakman and the show's producer
Television producer
The primary role of a television Producer is to allow all aspects of video production, ranging from show idea development and cast hiring to shoot supervision and fact-checking...
and co-host, Louis Motamedi. Among the many claims made by Phelps was the statement that all homosexuals in the US should be put to death. Homosexuality was blamed by Phelps as the cause of numerous nationwide and worldwide problems in which the United States is involved. Additionally, Phelps threatened to "end this pretense of an interview" when the idea that Phelps' church's views were based on one of many Bible interpretations, as opposed to the only interpretation, was suggested by Pakman. Phelps stayed on the phone until the completion of the interview.
The most well known member and public face of the Westboro Baptist Church, Shirley Phelps-Roper
Shirley Phelps-Roper
Shirley Lynn Phelps-Roper is an American lawyer and political activist. She is best known as the spokesperson of the controversial Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka, Kansas, an organization known for its highly publicized public protests conducted under the slogan "God Hates...
, was interviewed on Midweek Politics three times following her brother Jonathan's interview. During one interview, Phelps-Roper denied that homosexuality in animals
Homosexuality in animals
Homosexual behavior in animals refers to the documented evidence of homosexual and bisexual behavior in non-human species. Such behaviors include sex, courtship, affection, pair bonding, and parenting among same sex animals...
was a concern of hers, and said that her church protested Heath Ledger
Heath Ledger
Heath Andrew Ledger was an Australian television and film actor. After performing roles in Australian television and film during the 1990s, Ledger moved to the United States in 1998 to develop his film career...
's memorial service because he "taught rebellion to this generation" by playing a homosexual character in the movie Brokeback Mountain
Brokeback Mountain
Brokeback Mountain is a 2005 romantic drama film directed by Ang Lee. It is a film adaptation of the 1997 short story of the same name by Annie Proulx with the screenplay written by Diana Ossana and Larry McMurtry...
.
During the following interview, Phelps-Roper called Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
a "state of rabid perverts", presumably based Massachusetts' landmark legalization of gay marriage. Phelps-Roper added that that Jews
Jews
The Jews , also known as the Jewish people, are a nation and ethnoreligious group originating in the Israelites or Hebrews of the Ancient Near East. The Jewish ethnicity, nationality, and religion are strongly interrelated, as Judaism is the traditional faith of the Jewish nation...
not accepting Jesus Christ as their savior, including Pakman, the host of Midweek Politics, would be going to hell
Hell
In many religious traditions, a hell is a place of suffering and punishment in the afterlife. Religions with a linear divine history often depict hells as endless. Religions with a cyclic history often depict a hell as an intermediary period between incarnations...
as a result of having "killed, murdered, and rejected" Jesus Christ. Further, she accused Pakman of being a "bad fig."
On March 10, 2010, Phelps-Roper commented on the Supreme Court
Supreme court
A supreme court is the highest court within the hierarchy of many legal jurisdictions. Other descriptions for such courts include court of last resort, instance court, judgment court, high court, or apex court...
case involving free speech and the church, and indicated that Justice Ruth Bader-Ginsburg "seems almost senile." The interview went viral
Viral marketing
Viral marketing, viral advertising, or marketing buzz are buzzwords referring to marketing techniques that use pre-existing social networks to produce increases in brand awareness or to achieve other marketing objectives through self-replicating viral processes, analogous to the spread of viruses...
due to the incendiary nature and content. In the same interview, Phelps-Roper, in discussing whether it was worse, in her opinion, to be Jewish or homosexual, indicated that she "wants the Jew to be a fag."
After the interview, show producers published a press release related to the interview which misquoted Phelps-Roper. The press release indicated that she said she would tell the Supreme Court to "drink a tall frosty mug of shut the hell up" in relation to the pending free speech trial, while in reality, she had predicted the Court would tell the plaintiff in the case to "drink a tall frosty mug of shut the hell up." Pakman admitted their mistake in the following broadcast, and said they had retracted the press release.
On September 10, 2010, Phelps-Roper was on the show to discuss her church's planned burning of the Koran on the upcoming 9/11 anniversary in light of Dove World Outreach Center
Dove World Outreach Center
Dove World Outreach Center is a 50 member non-denominational charismatic Christian church in Gainesville, Florida led by pastor Terry Jones and his wife, Sylvia. The church first gained notice during the late 2000s for its public displays and criticism of Islam and gays, and was designated as...
's Terry Jones conceding that he would not burn Korans on 9/11 as originally planned. Phelps-Roper claimed that "Mohammad was a pedophile", was critical of Terry Jones, and also was asked to address questions from Pakman's audience relating to the markedly infrequent blinking observed of Phelps-Roper during numerous television interviews.
In December 2010, Pakman interviewed Nathan Phelps
Nathan Phelps
Nathan "Nate" Phelps is an author, speaker on religion and child abuse, and an LGBT advocate. Phelps is the seventh child of Pastor Fred Phelps, and has been estranged from the majority of his family since his 18th birthday. Phelps has since declared himself an atheist...
, the most public of the former members. He said that beatings occurred to the kids and his mother. He also recounts the other family members who either left, returned by force to the church, or returned on their own. Nate stated that the last contact with any practicing members was 1985 but he keeps in contact with those who left the church. In a rare statement, he recounted the 10 month return to the church in 1978.
On February 24, 2011, hacktivists
Hacktivism
Hacktivism is the use of computers and computer networks as a means of protest to promote political ends. The term was first coined in 1994 by a member of the Cult of the Dead Cow hacker collective named Omega...
successfully took Westboro Baptist Church's websites down during an on-air confrontation, explaining during the act that they were placing a message at "downloads dot westboro baptist church". During the interview, Anonymous
Anonymous (group)
Anonymous is an international hacking group, spread through the Internet, initiating active civil disobedience, while attempting to maintain anonymity. Originating in 2003 on the imageboard 4chan, the term refers to the concept of many online community users simultaneously existing as an anarchic,...
indicated that previous denial of service attacks were the work of The Jester
The Jester (hacktivist)
The Jester is a computer vigilante who describes himself as gray hat "hacktivist." He or she claims to be responsible for attacks on WikiLeaks, 4chan, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, and Islamist websites. He claims to be acting out of American patriotism...
, but the hacking incident taking place during the interview was the work of Anonymous During the live confrontation between Phelps-Roper and a spokesman for Anonymous, Phelps-Roper claimed that Anonymous could not "stop God's message" even if they were to try. In response, Anonymous seized control of one of Westboro's subdomains.
Christian homeschooling controversy
On March 17, 2010, during an interview with Christian homeschooling advocate Mike McHugh, Pakman questioned McHugh about the validity of constructing an entire curriculum around the story of Jesus Christ, referring to the virgin birth, death, and resurrection associated with Jesus, which resulted in McHugh indicating that he was "offended" by the question, and refusing to answer. Pakman indicated that he did not find the question offensive, and listeners indicated it was not the question, but the tone of the question, that could be interpreted as offensive. The interview continued, with McHugh clearly altered by the exchange. During followup, Pakman indicated rather than backing down from the question, in retrospect he would have preferred to push McHugh on "just what was offensive about the question."Ralph Nader
Former Presidential candidate and activist Ralph NaderRalph Nader
Ralph Nader is an American political activist, as well as an author, lecturer, and attorney. Areas of particular concern to Nader include consumer protection, humanitarianism, environmentalism, and democratic government....
was long known for stating that, with regard to the 2000 presidential election
United States presidential election, 2000
The United States presidential election of 2000 was a contest between Republican candidate George W. Bush, then-governor of Texas and son of former president George H. W. Bush , and Democratic candidate Al Gore, then-Vice President....
, both George W. Bush
George W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
and Al Gore
Al Gore
Albert Arnold "Al" Gore, Jr. served as the 45th Vice President of the United States , under President Bill Clinton. He was the Democratic Party's nominee for President in the 2000 U.S. presidential election....
were essentially the same, and that it would make no difference which candidate was elected. While Nader maintained that position for some time, in an interview on Midweek Politics he made what some consider to be the first direct statement that while Bush and Gore have very similar positions on a plurality of issues, "no one would have mangled the situation (war) in Iraq
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
the way that George W. Bush did as President.
Howard Stern
Pakman has been criticized by both traditional liberals as well as religious conservativesAmerican conservatism
Conservatism in the United States has played an important role in American politics since the 1950s. Historian Gregory Schneider identifies several constants in American conservatism: respect for tradition, support of republicanism, preservation of "the rule of law and the Christian religion", and...
for his support of free speech, specifically as applied to Howard Stern
Howard Stern
Howard Allan Stern is an American radio personality, television host, author, and actor best known for his radio show, which was nationally syndicated from 1986 to 2005. He gained wide recognition in the 1990s where he was labeled a "shock jock" for his outspoken and sometimes controversial style...
and censorship
Censorship
thumb|[[Book burning]] following the [[1973 Chilean coup d'état|1973 coup]] that installed the [[Military government of Chile |Pinochet regime]] in Chile...
. On September 27, 2006, Pakman specifically defended Stern, the Sirius Satellite Radio
Sirius Satellite Radio
Sirius Satellite Radio is a satellite radio service operating in North America, owned by Sirius XM Radio.Headquartered in New York City, with smaller studios in Los Angeles and Memphis, Sirius was officially launched on July 1, 2002 and currently provides 69 streams of music and 65 streams of...
business, the success of Stern's show to date, and stated that he believes the type of ideology stated by Rush Limbaugh
Rush Limbaugh
Rush Hudson Limbaugh III is an American radio talk show host, conservative political commentator, and an opinion leader in American conservatism. He hosts The Rush Limbaugh Show which is aired throughout the U.S. on Premiere Radio Networks and is the highest-rated talk-radio program in the United...
and other talk radio hosts is equally or more offensive than the type of content censored when Stern's show was on terrestrial radio. The comment was seen as an attack by both liberals and religious conservatives, both being offended by Stern's show for different reasons.
On May 5, 2010, a clip of Midweek Politics was mentioned and played by Stern on the air involving an ongoing joke on the Howard Stern Show to which Pakman referred on Midweek Politics.
2006 election and Deval Patrick
During the leadup to the 2006 mid-term election, Pakman had more than one run-in with MassachusettsMassachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
Governor-election Deval Patrick
Deval Patrick
Deval Laurdine Patrick is the 71st and current Governor of Massachusetts. A member of the Democratic Party, Patrick served as an Assistant United States Attorney General under President Bill Clinton...
on the issue of polling. During an August 23, 2006 interview, Patrick was reluctant to admit that the Democratic candidate who would go on to win the primary in September was in a strong position to win in the general election in November, although the polls were overwhelmingly pointing in that direction.
This issue was brought up again in person by Pakman at an October 3, 2006 debate at American International College
American International College
American International College is a private, co-educational liberal-arts college located in the Mason Square neighborhood of Springfield, Massachusetts.-History:...
in Springfield, Massachusetts
Springfield, Massachusetts
Springfield is the most populous city in Western New England, and the seat of Hampden County, Massachusetts, United States. Springfield sits on the eastern bank of the Connecticut River near its confluence with three rivers; the western Westfield River, the eastern Chicopee River, and the eastern...
. At this point, Patrick had already won the Democratic primary and was, according to some polls, more than 30 points ahead of the second place Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
Lieutenant Governor
Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts
The Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts is the first in the line to discharge the powers and duties of the office of governor following the incapacitation of the Governor of Massachusetts...
Kerry Healey
Kerry Healey
Kerry Murphy Healey was the 70th Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts. She served from 2003 to 2007 with Governor Mitt Romney. She was the 2006 Republican nominee for Governor of Massachusetts, losing to Democrat Deval Patrick in November 2006...
. When asked if he would finally admit to having some comfort in his lead, Patrick explained that "he doesn't always trust the polls." When asked by Pakman whether or not Healey should be worried that she is more than 30 points down, Patrick shrugged the question off by asking "is it now that much?" and moving on to another reporter's question.
Website hacking
Shortly after the April 28, 2010 broadcast, visitors to the then-called Midweek Politics website began to observe that the site was not functioning properly, and sometimes was inaccessible altogether. Additionally, associated podcasts and ancillary content also functioned only sporadically. Audience members suggested on internet forums the possibility that there had been some type of sabotageSabotage
Sabotage is a deliberate action aimed at weakening another entity through subversion, obstruction, disruption, or destruction. In a workplace setting, sabotage is the conscious withdrawal of efficiency generally directed at causing some change in workplace conditions. One who engages in sabotage is...
of the website. On May 9, 2010, the website went down altogether, completely disappearing from the internet. In the later part of May 10, 2010, the website came back on in a limited way, with a message indicating that there had been malicious attempts made on the site, including denial of service attacks. By May 11, 2010, much of the website was back in place.
On the May 12, 2010 broadcast of Midweek Politics, Pakman announced that the website had indeed been in the target of unknown deliberate malicious attacks starting immediately after the April 28, 2010 broadcast. Pakman did not indicate the specifics of who was suspected to be involved, but said a more detailed investigation was underway, and alluded to a connection between a guest on the program between April 28 and May 12. Guests appearing on Midweek Politics during that time include former Governor Jesse Ventura
Jesse Ventura
James George Janos , better known as Jesse Ventura, is an American politician, the 38th Governor of Minnesota from 1999 to 2003, Navy UDT veteran, former SEAL reservist, actor, and former radio and television talk show host...
racist Senate candidate Glenn Miller, Congressmann Dennis Kucinich
Dennis Kucinich
Dennis John Kucinich is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 1997. He was furthermore a candidate for the Democratic nomination for President of the United States in the 2004 and 2008 presidential elections....
, and terrorism expert Richard A. Clarke
Richard A. Clarke
Richard Alan Clarke was a U.S. government employee for 30 years, 1973–2003. He worked for the State Department during the presidency of Ronald Reagan. In 1992, President George H.W. Bush appointed him to chair the Counter-terrorism Security Group and to a seat on the United States National...
.
Press
- Midweek Politics Airs Nationally - Daily Hampshire Gazette / November 14, 2006
- University of Massachusetts / November 16, 2006
- Pakman's Politics - Daily Hampshire Gazette / December 13, 2006
- Unexpected Success - Daily News Tribune / December 26, 2006
- Northampton radio personality gaining audience nationwide